On this day March 26, 1975

The Biological Weapons Convention enters into force. The Conventionwas the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons.

Participation in the BWC

It was the result of prolonged efforts by the international community to establish a new instrument that would supplement the 1925 Geneva Protocol.

The BWC was opened for signature on April 10, 1972 and entered into force March 26, 1975 when twenty-two governments had deposited their instruments of ratification.

It currently commits the 162 states that are party to it to prohibit the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons.

However, the absence of any formal verification regime to monitor compliance has limited the effectiveness of the Convention. (Note: As of July 2008, an additional 13 states have signed the BWC but have yet to ratify it).